Orientation is Grenfell’s way of welcoming you to your University experience! It will arm you with the knowledge you need to survive classes while providing social functions and fun activities designed to make interacting with your fellow students enjoyable! It will make the transition from high school or the workforce to university a smooth and enjoyable one. Orientation 2012will allow you to familiarize yourself with our campus, our community and our way of life. Orientation 2012 will:

Provide the opportunity to meet lots of new people and make friendships that may last a lifetime

Help you understand the academic expectations put on you by the university, your professors and, even more importantly, yourself.

Allow you to build important university contacts that will come in handy throughout your time here at Grenfell

Give you a chance to learn about all campus activities, departments and services.

Provide opportunities for you to learn about our community and the beautiful province in which it is situated.

Give guidance and advice from upper-year students and faculty members.

2. When is Orientation?

Orientation for first year students begins on Monday, September 3, 2012. two days before classes start for the fall semester. The core of orientation will occur during those two days, although there will be some activities planned right into the first weekend of the term.

We will update our Orientation website about when and where to meet as it gets closer to Orientation.

3. What does Orientation have to offer me?

At Orientation 2012 we attempt to open as many doors for you as possible. Some of these include:

A base for meeting new people

An understanding of the academic expectations that exist from the university, your professors and, even more importantly, yourself.

A building of important university contacts that will come in handy throughout your time here at Grenfell.

A chance to learn about all campus activities and departments and how to become involved in them.

An introduction to the City of Corner Brook and its facilities that are beneficial to students.

4. What should I bring to Orientation?

This section will be updated when information becomes available.

5. I am from Corner Brook and I will be living at home with my family. Should I go to Orientation?

Of course! Although you may not have to adjust to living in a new community away from home, there are still many things about university life that you will have to learn. Understanding the differences between what was expected in high school and what is expected in university is crucial to post-secondary success—and orientation can help you achieve such success!

7. I am coming to Grenfell from out-of-province. What does Orientation have to offer me?

There is no better way to be acquainted with the society and culture of Newfoundland and Labrador than by coming to Orientation! We intend to provide a special selection of items in this year’s orientation kits for our out-of-province students, which will include maps and brief histories of our corner of the world. We will also include special guides to our unique cuisine and dialect. You can also discover the magic of Western Newfoundland through your very own eyes by taking the guided tours of Corner Brook and the Bay of Islands that we will provide. Moreover, we can tell you all about the variety of outdoor pursuits available in our region. All of these things are coupled with making the transition into university life an enjoyable one. Our intercultural programmer will be in contact with you soon with planned events for Orientation 2012.

8. I am starting university this fall but I am not coming directly out of high school. What does Orientation have to offer me?

If this is the case, then Orientation 2012is the place for you! We want to welcome you to our university community by providing information sessions designed to address the unique concerns and questions of students older than average. Whether you have been away from school for three years or thirty, you will be able to meet other students and discuss with them their own experiences as students older than average. Dates for Non-Traditional Student Orientation will be posted soon.

9. I am a student who is attending the Summer Bridging Program. Should I also attend Orientation?

The Summer Bridging Program is designed to help you prepare for post-secondary studies (for more about the Summer Bridging Program click here). Orientation is a great way to supplement that preparation. The Summer Bridging Program will help bridge the gap between high school and university, but Orientation will officially welcome you to university life! You can meet future classmates in a fun and relaxed setting while experiencing the exciting atmosphere of the first week of classes here at Grenfell.

10. I’m the only person from my community who is planning on attending Grenfell. How easy will it be to meet people?

Very easy! In fact, Orientation is designed for people in your very situation. When you arrive at Orientation, you will immediately be placed in a small group with fellow first year students. You will be with this group for most of Orientation, so by the time classes start you will have already become well-acquainted with several other students!

By going to Orientation you will find your classes full of familiar faces, making those first couple of weeks a little less intimidating. And, if you are planning on moving into residence at Grenfell, special Orientation events for residence students can really help you get to know your new neighbors!

11. Is Orientation alcohol-free?

Absolutely. No alcoholic beverages will be served at any of our events.